Ever wonder how much does a t-shirt weigh in different sizes and fabrics?
That helpful bit of information is useful, especially when buying clothes online or in bulk packages in stores
An average T-shirt weighs between 3oz (85grams) and 7oz (1985g)
The weight depends upon the fabric blend, weight, thickness, amount of fabric used for different sizes, and even the age range and gender for which it’s made
Knowing how much T-shirts weigh in different sizes and fabrics, how stenciling or printing affects the weight, and how to figure out the weight is useful
We’ll help you answer those questions so you’ll be better prepared to purchase online or in-store and get the product weight that you want
Quick NavigationHow Much Does a T-Shirt Weigh?Why T-shirt Weight Matters?Average T-Shirt WeightHow Does Fabric Material Affect Weight?How Does Shirt Size Affect Weight?Does the Printing Style Affect the T-Shirts Weight?Long Sleeved T-Shirts and Hoodies WeighHow is T-Shirt Weight Advertised?Bella Canvas Tees and Next Level TeesT-Shirt Weight for ShippingConclusion
More and more online outlets are providing information about the weight of different items of clothing
Whether for shipping calculations or to provide shoppers with extra information about a product, it can improve your shopping success
The weight is especially helpful if you know the weight ranges of T-shirts for your size, as it provides a reference when ordering shirts or blouses, as well as your favorite Ts Adult T-shirts range from 3oz to 7oz or more depending on several different factors
The weight is affected by fabric composition, thread count and thickness, printing or stenciling, and even humidity
It can further reflect different sizes and even genders too
The heft can also be used within a size to identify fabric weave, thickness, and quality
A T-shirt between 3oz and 5oz is considered lightweight, between 5oz and 6oz is medium, and those over 6oz are heavyweight
It should be noted though, that medium weight fabric may be used to produce lightweight Ts It is important to know the weight of your favorite Ts to prevent confusion
A small adult T-shirt weighing 65oz will be much thicker and heavier than a 3oz one, while a 2XL with the same 65oz mass, will be almost as thin and light as a 4oz adult small due to the extra fabric
Another confusing issue is how stores report weight: ounces, grams, pounds, or kilograms
Converting between ounces and grams or pounds and kilograms can be a daunting task laced with nightmares of junior high math
To convert grams to ounces, multiply the number of grams by 00353, and you’ll get the weight in ounces
To convert grams to ounces, multiply the number of grams by 00353, and you’ll get the weight in ounces
To change pounds to kilograms multiply by 0454, or by 0000454 for grams
To change kilograms to pounds multiply by 22 (or 2205), or by 3527 for ounces
The combined weight of multipack shirts can be used to determine the individual unit weight too
A package of 5 T-shirts with a total weight of 1pound means each T weighs 32 ounces (16oz ÷ 5 = 32oz) or 9072 grams (32 x 2835 = 9072g)
If the shirts are lady’s small, they’ll be lightweight, if they’re men’s XL they’ll be super thin and ultra-lightweight, and of questionable durability
Most manufacturers don’t list the weight of shirts, nor do they identify the amount of fabric that goes into each item
If you are a sewer or sewist, you may have a general idea of how much fabric is needed to make a T-shirt in your size and the weight and kind of fabric you prefer
Lightweight cotton T-shirt fabric often weighs 2 ounces a square yard, medium weight is around 4oz, and thick or heavyweight is 6oz or more a square
The width of the cloth influences how many yards in length you may need to purchase – 36”, 42”, 54”, 60” – but the weight per square yard remains unchanged
The weight of the fabric per square yard or meter, multiplied by the amount of fabric in that size of T-shirt, will identify its approximate weight
The weight can be used to identify if the shirt is light, medium, or heavyweight
A small adult T commonly uses 094 yds² and a 2XL approximately 15 yds²
That means a 2XL would weigh 834oz if made of mid-weight 556oz cotton T-shirt fabric but only 3oz if made of lightweight 2oz cotton – a significant difference in feel, warmth, and durability
The average amount of fabric in a T-shirt based on size can be calculated with 4 simple measurements
[(Shirt length x chest width) + (sleeve length x 2sleeve width)] x 2 = square units of fabric
There are 1,296 square inches in a square yard, and 10,000 square centimeters in a square meter
There are 254cm in an inch, and 1in² = 64516cm²
The Table below identifies the average amount of fabric found in different uni-sex T-shirts
Average Amount of Fabric in Uni-sex T-Shirts
Total Fabric in Yards
Total Fabric in Meters
Note: Table values are average flat measurements and include seam and hem allowances
Why T-shirt Weight Matters?
The weight of a T-shirt is greatly determined by the weight of the fabric it is sewn from
The weave and type of fiber make up the fabric
A cotton-polyester blend can weigh the same as 100% cotton, or be lighter or heavier
A lightweight fabric T is often softer, lighter, thinner, more flexible – one reviewer referred to it as ‘buttery-soft’ – and breathable for hot summer days
It is lighter to pack, or ship, dries more quickly, takes up less space in luggage or dresser, but it wrinkles easier – especially if cotton
A medium-weight T can also be soft and as thin or thicker than the lighter weight of the same size
It offers more protection from wind and is usually warmer than lighter material
The added weight takes longer to dry, and is less compressible in a drawer or suitcase, but it tends to wrinkle less
Heavyweight T-shirts may be soft, brushed, or even coarse
They are heavier opaque fabrics more suited for workwear or cooler weather
The thicker material wrinkles less but is heavier and takes up more space when packed away
The weight of a T-shirt depends on the weight and amount of fabric used for different sizes
Shirts less than 5oz (12675g) are considered lightweight, those between 5 and 6oz (1701g) are medium weight, and Ts over 6oz are rated heavyweight
Larger sizes weigh more due to the amount of fabric used, but may be made of lighter weight material, and be rated medium or lightweight
Comparing weights provided by different sales options against the amount of fabric helps identify if a prospective purchase is light, medium, or heavyweight
The table below identifies and compares the fabric weights using the cloth amounts from the Table (Average Amount of Fabric in Uni-sex T-Shirts) above based on fabric weight per square yard or meter, with the weight of standard size ranges from several different brands
Comparison of Average Uni-Sex T-Shirt Weight by Fabric and Brand
It is interesting to note, though, that the brand 2XL shirts, although in the heavy T-shirt weight range, are actually made of medium weight fabric
Additionally, the brand smalls and mediums are also made of medium weight cloth, although they fall into the lightweight range
T-shirt weight ÷ amount of fabric/size ≈ weight of the fabric used per square yard
416oz ÷ 094 yds² = 44oz fabric weight per yard, so medium weight T-shirt fabric
416oz ÷ 094 yds² = 44oz fabric weight per yard, so medium weight T-shirt fabric
How Does Fabric Material Affect Weight?
T-shirt fabric is made of natural, synthetic, or blends of both types of fibers
The fibers are spun into yarn of varying thicknesses, and then knitted or woven into fabric
The fabric can be identified by thread count or weight per square yard or meter
It may also be identified as light (2oz/ yds²), medium (4oz/ yds²), or heavyweight (6oz/ yds²) T-shirt fabric
Some fabric merchants may identify any fabric less than 5oz as light, 5oz to 6oz as medium, and any weight above 6oz as heavy, which can add to the confusion
Cloth with thicker yarn usually is heavier than thinner material, but the weight of the fibers also influences the weight
A small Tee made of 100% cotton can weigh the same as one made of a 95% polyester & 5% elastane blend
The weight and amount of the cloth used to make the shirt determine its base weight, adding pockets, images or other decorations will increase the weight
Here are some T-shirt fabric blends and some of the weights they are available in:
T-Shirt Fabric Blends and Weights*
Light Weight
Light Weight
Medium Weight
Medium Weight
*Weight is based on ounces per square yard (oz/yds²) and grams per meter square (gpm)
Note: There are different percentages of blends and weight values, the above Table holds a random sampling for comparison
The Light, Medium, and Heavy Weight headings reflect categories common in my region
Lightweight Fabrics
Lightweight T-shirt fabrics may be 100% natural material, 100% synthetic, or a blend of both fiber types
Most lightweight fabrics weigh less than 4oz/yd² or 1356g/m²
The weight of a shirt made with this fabric will vary depending on its size; the larger the T, the heavier its weight
Light fabrics wrinkle and cling or form to body curves more, and if stretched are almost transparent
Medium-Weight Fabrics
Similar to lightweight fabric, the thread count and yarn size coupled with the fiber composition affects the mass per square yard or meter
Medium-weight fabrics fall between 4oz/yd² (1356g/m²) and 6oz/yd² (2035g/m²), and are usually a comfortable weight and breathability for a T
Heavyweight Fabrics
Heavy T-shirt fabric commonly weighs more than 6oz/yd² (2035g/m²)
How Does Shirt Size Affect Weight?
The amount of fabric in a T-shirt size and the weight of that fabric per square yard or meter determines the shirt’s weight
Small Ts have less material than a 2XL, so will weigh less if made of the same weight of fabric
Different manufacturers and factories use different weights of fabric, which also influences the feel and durability of the product
As noted in the Average Amount of Fabric in Uni-sex T-Shirts Table above, an XS T-shirt uses 076yd² (0636m²) of cloth and a 3XL slightly more than double that, or 155yd² (1299m²)
So, if the same weight of fabric is used to make both shirts, the 3XL will weigh twice as much as the XS
The print style can affect the weight of a T-shirt
The print style can affect the weight of a T-shirt
The weight of the ink, paint, thread, or plastic used to create the image will increase the overall heft of the shirt, although the change is usually small
Images commonly are added with heat transfer, screen, or digital printing
Digital printing commonly has the least impact on shirt weight
Digital printing applies the print color directly to the fabric so it uses less ink and produces almost photographic detail
When the ink dries, only the pigment is left, altering the shirt weight marginally
Screen printing uses more ink or paint than digital, resulting in more weight, but results in more vibrant colors
When the thicker medium dries, it leaves more weight
Although heavier than the digital, it is usually less than the weight of a heat transfer
Long Sleeved T-Shirts and Hoodies Weigh
The weight of long sleeved Tees and hoodies depends on the amount, kind, and weight of the fabric used in their manufacture
Long sleeved Ts are made of the same type of material as regular ones, while hoodies are heavier fabrics or fleece
Long sleeve T-shirts are longer sleeved than regular Ts, so more fabric, which results in greater weight
The sleeves can range from 18 to 24-inches (or more), instead of 86 to 104 for the common T
Some shirts follow similar body patterns to regular Ts, but some are wider and longer to go over other layers
They are also frequently made from medium or heavyweight (5oz to 6oz+/yd²) material too
Hoodies are commonly made from thicker material than short or long sleeved T-shirts
They are made larger to fit over top of other layers, have a hood with a lace, and often a pouch or pockets, resulting in much more fabric and a significant increase in weight
Additionally, the fleece fabrics commonly used for hoodies range from 53oz/yd² to 14oz/yd²
A small hoodie may weigh in at 16oz (4536g), while a 2XL may be 247oz (7003g) or more
How is T-Shirt Weight Advertised?
Different retailers and some manufacturers identify the weight of the fabric used in production in ounces per square yard or grams per meter square
Others identify the material as light, medium, or heavyweight, which could refer to the fabric used or to the product weight range
Another method that is becoming common is identifying the actual weight in ounces or grams of the T-shirt or product
This method is helpful to determine shipping costs and the fabric weight used in manufacture
Shopping for individual or multiple products, whether for personal use or retail, there are many options available
They carry a wide variety of styles, sizes, and colors in their product line, and provide much useful information about the fiber composition and cloth weight
They even have shirts with recycled material blended in
Bella Canvas Ts come in over 50 colors, multiple neck styles, plus slim and relaxed fit
Fabric weight is presented in ounces (OZ) per yard for each T depending on color and fabric blend
Sizes for women range from XS to 2XL, while men’s and unisex run from XS to 5XL
Bella carries Tees, tank tops, long sleeve Ts, sweatshirts, pullover and zipper hoodies, and fleece joggers
A variety of different fabrics and weights are used in their clothing manufacture
Their T-shirts are sewn from 36oz, 42oz, or 44oz 100% cotton, 36oz, 40oz, or 42oz cotton/poly blend, and 38oz triblend polyester/cotton/rayon
The fabric weights make it easier to determine product weights too
All shirts work well with both digital and screen printing
The fabric weight in oz/yd² is listed, as is the fabric composition
Available in adult male XS to 4XL and female XS to 3XL, youth sizes ranging from XS to XL, as well as children’s XS to XL
Next level also carries tank tops, long sleeved and hooded Ts, pullover and zip-up hoodies, and sweat pants too
The Ts are manufactured from 43oz 100% cotton, 35oz, 39oz, 43oz, 58oz cotton/poly blend, or 42oz or 43oz triblend polyester/cotton/rayon
The fabric weight for some products is listed as 9oz/linear yard, making weight calculations difficult unless the fabric width is known
All products are ideal for displaying screen or digital print work
T-Shirt Weight for Shipping
The fabric thickness and weight affect the ease and cost of shipping
Most Tees weigh less than 6oz unless they are larger sizes
Shipping one or two shirts is fairly easy in a sturdy plastic bag style soft-pack envelope, boxboard or padded envelope, or in a recycled or reusable one
A 10”x14” soft-pack envelope adds about half an ounce to the shipping weight, and you can write right on it
That makes it a practical method for shipping 2 or 3 Ts, provided there’s no other packaging and paperwork included
If unsure of the thickness or weight, take it to a postal outlet
In other countries, the size and shape of the packaging, along with the weight, often affect the postal shipping rate, so a trip to the local Post Office might be required
There are alternatives to the postal service for shipping packages and boxes
The length and girth of the package, along with the weight and shipping distance helps determine the charge
T-shirts weigh between 3oz and 7oz on average
The thickness of the material affects its weight, as does the size – a 3XL contains almost twice as much fabric as an XS!
Adding a digital or screen print to the shirt won’t increase the weight of the shirts very much, but is a great way to individualize its look
Whether purchasing or shipping, hopefully, you have a better understanding of how much a Tee weighs, and what influences that weight
Weight is an essential factor in the quality and comfort of a T-shirt, yet many people overlook it
In this guide, we’ll take you through what you should know about T-shirt weight in 2022
The weight of a T-shirt depends on several factors, such as its size and cut, but most notably on the weight of the fabric used
Fabric weight is measured either in ounces (ounces per square yard) or GSM (grams per square meter)
Heavier materials are typically thicker and more durable
There’s a lot to understand about the suitability of different weights of T-shirt fabric for different styles of T-shirts
Because some manufacturers quote the weight of a shirt rather than the weight of the material, it can get confusing fast
The Effect Of Fabric Material On T-Shirt WeightHow T-Shirt Fabric Weight Is MeasuredThe Suitability Of Different Weights Of T-Shirt FabricHow Much Does A T-Shirt Weigh?What are T-shirt Singles?Conclusion
The Effect Of Fabric Material On T-Shirt Weight
Manufacturers make T-shirt fabric from fibers spun into yarn and woven or knitted into fabric
The fibers can either be natural, synthetic, or blend the two
Manufacturers identify the material by weight (in grams per square meter or ounces per square yard) or thread count
However, synthetic fibers are often hollow and can be both thicker and lighter than thinner natural fibers
However, synthetic fibers are often hollow and can be both thicker and lighter than thinner natural fibers
How T-Shirt Fabric Weight Is Measured
The industry generally measures the weight of T-shirt fabric in metric units, grams per square meter (GSM)
Higher GSM values indicate thicker fabric, provided one is dealing with the same material
Do not compare polyester to cotton in weight, and expect to be able to infer differences in thickness
Sometimes the fabric is still measured in ounces per square yard, sometimes simply called ounces
A rough equivalence guide between ounces per square yard and grams per square meter is as follows:
Lightweight T-shirt fabric: 4 ounces per square yard/135 GSM
Medium weight fabric 5 ounces per square yard/170 GSM
Heavyweight (thick) fabric: 6 ounces per square yard (or more)/200 GSM (or more)
The Suitability Of Different Weights Of T-Shirt Fabric
The different weights of T-shirt fabric are suitable for different types of T-shirts
Lightweight T-Shirt Fabric Is For Summer
Lightweight T-shirt fabric is thinner and lighter and is preferable for summer because it is often more breathable in hot weather
Fabrics such as lyocell or rayon are less transparent than cotton in lightweights
A lightweight summer T-shirt will be made of 130-150 GSM fabric
Two popular lightweight cotton t-shirts are Bella Canvas 3001 which is 42 oz/yd², and Next Level 3600 which is 43 oz/yd²
Medium Weight T-Shirt Fabric Is For Mid-Season
Medium weight T-shirt fabric is generally warmer than lightweight material, offering more protection from the wind and being less transparent, even when damp
It takes longer to dry but typically wrinkles less
It makes for a good mid-season or year-round shirt and will be made of 160-180 GSM fabric
The Gildan 5000 “Heavyweight” shirt is actually only a mid-weight 53 oz/yd² shirt
Heavyweight T-Shirt Fabric Is For Winter
Heavyweight T-shirt fabric can vary in texture from soft and brushed to coarse
Heavier shirts typically have sturdier stitching
They can go as high as 225 GSM in fabric weight
The Gildan G200 Ultra Cotton T-shirt is a 60 oz/yd² heavyweight shirt
Premium Weight T-shirts
Because higher GSM fabric takes more fiber to make, it costs more and is used for premium T-shirts
This trend only holds good up to a point, with 160-180 GSM being the sweet spot for premium T-shirt fabric weight
Other factors such as fiber length will also play a role in determining whether or not a T-shirt is considered premium or not
Cheap promotional shirts designed to be worn only a few times will be around 100-110 GSM
How Much Does a Hoodie Weigh?
In ounces, a standard hoodie weighs 16 oz
In lbs, a standard hoodie weights 12 to 15 lbs
Manufacturers make hoodies and sweatshirts of much heavier, fleecy material, which weighs 200-250 GSM for a summer weight, 250-300 GSM for an all-year weight, and 300-400 GSM for a heavy, snug winter fabric
The weight of T-shirt fabric plays a significant role in determining the overall weight of the shirt, although other factors also play a role
Larger shirts will weigh more for the same fabric weight; so will long-sleeved shirts, in both cases because they use more material
Pockets will also add to the weight of the shirt
Men’s shirts also typically weigh slightly more than lady’s shirts
The typical T-shirt weighs between 3 ounces (85 grams) and 7 ounces (200 grams)
When determining the thickness of a shirt, remember that GSM or ounces per square yard are an actual weight of the fabric, whereas if you get a weight quoted for the shirt as a whole, the size and style will determine whether it is lightweight or heavyweight shirt
When ordering, try to get hold of information on the GSM of the shirts
If you can only get information on the total weight of the shirts, you will have to figure out yourself from the size and style of the shirt, whether it is lightweight or heavyweight or somewhere in between
The following table gives the weights of shirts from some popular T-shirt manufacturers in various sizes:
When shipping shirts to customers, bear in mind that the packaging will also weigh, and depending on the printing method you have used, the image on the shirt may also have added slightly to the weight
Digital printing adds less weight than screen printing, which adds less than a heat transfer
What are T-shirt Singles?
T-shirt singles refers to the thread count of a t-shirt’s fabric
A higher t-shirt singles count typically equates to a “premium” t-shirt, which is less likely to wear or fade after washes
As you can see, there is a lot to T-shirt weight, and knowing the difference between a cheap and cheerful throwaway weight and a high-quality weight that will last for years will help you to deliver quality to your customers
Understand how ounces per square yard or grams per square meter work, and you will have a good handle on T-shirt weight
The best way to get the best idea of shirt weight is to order 1-2 shirts that are light, medium, and heavyweight
Bryan has created his own t-shirt designs through Photoshop, Canva, and other platforms, as well as worked with freelancers to create many of his designs
Besides t-shirts, Bryan has 18 years of experience in online marketing with eCommerce, B2B SaaS, B2C products, and more
The weight of a t-shirt ranges from 4oz to 7oz
The exact weight of a shirt will depend on the type of material used to design it, the size, thickness of fabric, and even humidity (the wetness and dryness of a shirt)
Knowing how much an average T-shirt weighs will help you determine the right amount to charge when your shipping shirts
How Much do T-shirts Weigh?Why does T-shirt Weight Matter?FAQs
To establish the weight range of various t-shirts, we took the most popular brands and put them on a weighing machine
We ended up with figures ranging from as little as 4oz to as high as 64oz, enabling us to come with the 4 to 7 oz weight range
Here’s the table of our results: Small Medium Large XL 2XL Fruit of the Loom (budget t-shirts) 451oz 483oz 507oz 564oz 610oz Gildan softstyle (mens) 426oz 486oz 539oz 567oz 645oz Gildan softstyle (womens) 381oz 405oz 451oz 497oz 550oz American apparel 416oz 458oz 497oz 550oz 578oz Why does T-shirt Weight Matter?
T-shirt weight matters because you’ll need to know for the quality of the shirt and shipping prices when buying or selling
As we’ve just stated above, the standard weight for t-shirts is around 4 to 7 oz
If you get anything below this, it might mean that the fabric is lightweight and not as durable as you might expect
This is not to say lightweight t-shirts aren’t good because they might be ideal for applications like one-time event use or for summer wear
If you’re looking for t-shirts for use in rough conditions where they’re likely to get wear and tear—say uniforms—you’d want to go for heavier/thicker ones of around 6-7oz
T-shirts meant for most uses usually weigh around 55oz
As for the t-shirts intended to be imprinted on for promotional purposes, they should come with just the right amount of weight/thickness to withstand the imprinting process
It’s important to note that the heavier a t-shirt is, the thicker and greater quality fabric it comes with
The heavier t-shirts also tend to come with pricier shipping costs too
The heavier the shirts are, the heavier the packages will be
FAQs What’s the Average T-shirt Weight?
The average T-shirt weight is 55oz
The average T-shirt weight is 55oz
How Much Does a Gildan T-shirt Weigh?
A Gildan T-shirt weighs between 381oz and 645oz depending on the size
How Much Does a Cotton T-shirt Weigh?
A cotton T-shirt weighs between 362oz and 53oz depending on the size